Look Back, Look Ahead

The Machine just finished a three-game-homestand which featured games against the Denver Outlaws, Long Island Lizards and the Charlotte Hounds.

In the first game of the homestand the Machine fell behind early to the Denver Outlaws, 5-0, and could not recover despite scoring six goals in the fourth quarter. The Machine won 16 out of 26 face-offs and scored on three out of four power plays but still fell to the Outlaws 16-8. Attackman Chazz Woodson had two goals and two assists and Machine goalie Brian Phipps tallied 10 saves. Rookie attackman Chris Bocklet led the Outlaws with a hat-trick and two assists.

A week later against Long Island, the Machine found themselves down three goals, 7-4, with six minutes left in the first half when rookie Steele Stanwick scored his second goal of the game and second of his career. Ten seconds later Ray Megill scored a power-play goal to bring the Machine within one. With 53 seconds left in the half, Kyle Hartzell scored a two-point goal to give Ohio the lead heading into the locker room. The Machine led early in the third quarter 10-8 but the Lizards scored five straight goals to win 16-12. Stanwick finished the game with three points and rookie Marshall Burkhart notched the first assist of his career.

During the last game of the homestand Ohio faced fellow expansion team the Charlotte Hounds for the second time this season. The Machine fell behind quickly to the Hounds but tied the game up at five on an unassisted goal from midfielder Dan Groot. In the third quarter the Machine went on a five-goal run sparked by defensemen Ray Megill’s two-point goal. The two teams traded goals in the fourth quarter but Charlotte pulled away with four goal straight goals in the middle of the final quarter. The Machine attempted to come back with goals from attackman Chazz Woodson, defenseman Kyle Hartzell and Jim Connolly but fell 17-16. Rookie attackman Steele Stanwick led the Machine with five points (1G 4A).

Looking Ahead

Next week the Machine will send four players and its head coach to the 2012 MLL All-Star Game presented by Moe's Southwest Grill at Florida Atlantic University Stadium. Machine Head Coach Ted Garber will lead Team Old School featuring defensemen Greg Bice and Kyle Hartzell and attackman Chazz Woodson. Machine break-out attackman Jim Connolly has been named to the MLL All-Star game for the first time in his career and will play on Team Young Guns.

The Machine will return to the field on July 4th, when they will travel to Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colorado, to play the Denver Outlaws. On July 13th and 14th, the Machine will face the Hamilton Nationals in a doubleheader. The Machine will play the first game in Hamilton and then travel back to Columbus to play the Nationals on RadioU night.

RadioU Night will begin with pre-game speakers, including Machine players and motivational speaker R.J. Lowery. A complimentary fan-zone will also be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The game ends with a post-game concert by American rock band Abandon. Besides touring, Abandon also visits with schools to talk to students about a variety of social issues including drugs, violence and alcohol. The game starts at 7 p.m. and tickets for RadioU Night are only $15.

For tickets to RadioU Night and the rest of the season’s home games, call the Machine at (614) 754-1973 or click here to purchase them today.